Universal UCM

[slychiu]

Cytech have developed a \"Universal\" UCM interface which is able to communicate with 3rd party interfaces which are not supported through dedicated UCMs.

The interface can be Rs232, RS485 or Ethernet. The hardware is the same as the UCM/232, UCM/485 (isolated) and UCM/Ethernet but with a special Universal UCM Firmware (not the UCM firmware required for upload/download).

The UCM/Universal with RS232F interface is shown

Programming is done via Comfigurator, minimum version 3.7.x is required.
It allows the communication properties of the external device to be specified, ie baud Rate, parity, hex, or Ascii data, start and end characters. The software allows incoming messages to be learned and mapped to counters, Sensors, Keypad Keys, Arming commands, Virtual zones etc. It also allows Comfort Security conditions to be mapped to outgoing messages.

Although it is called Universal, not all devices may be supported due to the variety and complexity of protocols.

The external devices tested so far include Rako, Dynalite, Lutron, RCS, LightwaveRF

Note that this is quite technical and requires a detailed knowledge of the communication protocols.
However Cytech shall be producing sample template files for the devices tested to assist installers.
Note that for ETH03 submodule, the baud rate of the Univeral UCM should be set at 9600 baud

Those who require assistance to configure the UCM/Universal to interface with 3rd party products can contact support@cytech.biz. A sample of the product may be required for testing

The Universal UCM Manual can be downloaded from https://www.cytech.biz/universal_ucm_manual.html

[cgiltrow]

This looks great!  I can think of a number of applications.

I would like to try to integrate am Oregan Scientific Weather Station.

Can I get the firmware and load it onto an already existing UCM/232?

Regards,

Clinton.

[palmlodge]

I assumed this was a new UCM - but perhaps this is not the case ? If so, what UCM\'s will support this - any flashable UCM (ie UCM05) ?

Thanks

[slychiu]

This is a new UCM, a UCM05 or USB, 232, or Ethernet cannot have its firmware upgraded to a Universal, even though physically the hardware could be the same

For firmware upgrading  the CBF file is compared to the UCM Type being upgraded and the two are different, the upgrade is refejected.
The Universal UCM has a different function from the UCM/232 as it does not do upload/download, IR learning etc

Although it is called a \"Universal\" UCM it does not handle all possible protocols. The protocol of the 3rd party device has to be studied to see if it is compatible with what is supported.

The Universal UCM configurator has a Load and Save Template allowing saved tamplates for various devices to be loaded into a configuration. We will make tested templates avaialble for the 3rd party products that we test.

[juwi_uk]

Clinton,

I love your Oregon Scientific weather station idea as I\'ve looked at this before myself too and wondered if it could be intergrated with Comfort somehow.

Let me know if you get into this.

Julian